Hamilton

The Revolution

By: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeremy McCarter

Narrated by: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeremy McCarter, Mariska Hargitay

Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

A backstage pass to the groundbreaking hit musical Hamilton, winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, including the award-winning libretto, behind-the-scenes photos and interviews, and exclusive footnotes from composer-lyricist-star Lin-Manuel Miranda, now streaming on Disney+ with the original cast.

Winner, 2017 APA Audie Awards - Audiobook of the Year

Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical Hamilton is as revolutionary as its subject: the poor kid from the Caribbean who fought the British, defended the Constitution, and helped to found the United States. Fusing hip-hop, pop, R&B, and the best traditions of theater, this once-in-a-generation show broadens the sound of Broadway, reveals the storytelling power of rap, and claims our country's origins for a diverse new generation.

Hamilton: The Revolution gives listeners an unprecedented view into both revolutions, from the only two writers able to provide it. Miranda, along with Jeremy McCarter, a cultural critic and theater artist who was involved in the project from its earliest stages - "since before this was even a show", according to Miranda - traces its development from an improbable performance at the White House to its landmark opening night on Broadway six years later. In addition, Miranda has written more than 200 funny, revealing footnotes for his award-winning libretto, the full text of which is published here.

Their account features photos by the renowned Frank Ockenfels and veteran Broadway photographer, Joan Marcus; exclusive looks at notebooks and emails; interviews with Questlove, Stephen Sondheim, leading political commentators, and more than 50 people involved with the production; and multiple appearances by President Obama himself. The book does more than tell the surprising story of how a Broadway musical became a national phenomenon: It demonstrates that America has always been renewed by the brash upstarts and brilliant outsiders, the men and women who don't throw away their shot.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2016 Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Mariska Hargitay takes on the role of warm documentarian in her narration of this behind-the-scenes look at the cultural phenomenon that is Hamilton. Hargitay is an able guide.... It's fascinating listening for Broadway aficionados and an essential deep dive for Hamilton fans." (AudioFile)

An awesome experience

Any additional comments?

This book, and the play's soundtrack, is the next best thing to seeing the play. It will have to be for awhile at least - I figure it will be 2020 before the price becomes more reasonable, so I may want to do this again! The book is priceless, providing the backstory for the long development of the play and Miranda's thought processes in how to set the portrayals of scenes. The significance of this play, the significance of a New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent deciding that Hamilton's story needed to be told, the significance of African Americans playing the roles of the very men who built this country/owned slaves/did not end slavery - is mind boggling. I did this on audio, which provided another level of intensity to the reading - intense enough to make me weep. Haven't experienced that since first seeing Lord of the Dance. I strongly recommend the experience.
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Wonderful!

I loved listening to this story, it was beautifully told, and the book itself must be a present for someone like mw who fell in love with the music, then the play. Thank you, Lin.

Time to go watch the movie

honestly I've seen the movie a dozen times. listening to this story only made me love it more.

Beautiful Insight and I’m Grateful for all the details

In all honesty I’m the type of person that desires details. I want to see how the sausage is made. I want to be in the room where it happens.

This book gave me an insight and depth to the mind of Lin and the cast of the original Hamilton crew. I recommend this book to all those who want to know more and greatest musical of this generation. I loved geeking out with the Harry Potter and Leslie Knope references! The history buff within me loved that I could now make sense of the “creative licensing” and rest in the heart of Lin’s genius-ness.

Listening to Lin-Manuel Miranda detailed notes at the end of the book was for sure a highlight.

Amazing Backstories

This book really kicked off my interest in the stage show. I bought the music previous to listening to this, but my I just wasn't hopping on the bandwagon like most of my friends.

This book changed that. It really let's you get inside Lin and the other creator's heads and see the inspiration behind the genius show. I'd highly recommend this book.

Mostly not Lin

I was super excited to listen to this book. When I saw that I could listen to Lin tell it - well it convinced me to join audible. Unfortunately Lin-Manuel only reads the last hour and 45 minutes. No doubt still great to hear all the backstory, but the primary reader drones on a bit. This makes parts that should be amazing to hear just, okay. Lin gets 5 stars, she gets 3. Overall still a worthwhile read/listen.

Missing Referenves...

Even though I rate it 5 out of 5 stars, the fact that one cannot actually reference the PDF being cited through and specifically stated that it came with the audio version is a huge bummer. Also, Lin is NOT the lead or even a main narrator...false advertising sucks; but when you get passed that, it is an excellent read/listen.

Incredible!

Three of my children were able to sing the entire production when it came out, kids in the schools were interested in history for one of the first times I can remember and asking questions, and I desperately wanted to see the show. I never got the chance back then but just purchased tickets and will be taking my mother! I am SO EXCITED and wanted to learn more about the making of the show.

OMG! I have so much respect for each and everyone involved. I have always respected and admired Lin's hard work, dedication, and the 'gifts' he's prepared for us to enjoy. However, as this book so vividly and eloquently illustrates, the YEARS, sacrifices, endless revisions, unimaginable hours 7 days a week, attention to the minute details the entire cast endured and more. It is quite honestly mind boggling yet knowing all they forged through together also helps explains how the show turned out so well.

It's rather ironic that the play they are putting on was because a group of grownups refused to talk and work things out(put VERY simply obviously,...very much like what is happening today.) yet that is exactly how this play came to fruition after SEVEN years of working together with different people from all walks of life.

For myself I loved this book. I recommend it but I can see where if you have no background on history or the play or Lin himself it may not have the same impact &/or you may be lost. HOWEVER, I still recommend the book! I would simply suggest looking up and doing a little quick read on Lin-Manuel Miranda as well as a quick read on Alexander Hamilton.

ENJOY! 👍

Hamilton

Great book! Well written! Hamilton is an amazing musical! Well done ! Great! Lin Manuel Miranda is Amazing!

You don't need to know the Show to go

This account is remarkable in detail and heart. NB: LMM's portion is at the end.